Icon brake tools (wind back)

[AJHD]

Does anyone have this Icon brake tool kit for wind back caliper pistons?

Master Brake Caliper Set, 20-Piece

Amazing deals on this Master Brake Caliper Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

What's your opinion? Is there a difference or advantage of using/owning this kit vs. a similar and cheaper kit on Amazon?

The Icon has a lifetime warranty and HF is local. Also Icon is made in Taiwan if I'm not mistaken... Most of the kits on Amazon are from generic Chinese brand names and clearly most are made by the same manufacturer(s) and sold by random companies.

Does this justify the more expensive Icon kit? Or is there a just as good and cheaper alternative?

Note: I am specifically referencing kits that include capability for both LF and RH twist. Also NOT including pneumatic options.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The Astro set (#78618) set is almost identical for a hair under $40. I think it is missing the triangular (3 pin) adapter.

The finish on that ICON set looks nice though.

 

[Steve_P]

Amazon.com

 

[Fedwrench]

There used to be a Pittsburgh set for less than $30 that's a great little set but, I think it's discontinued.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

There used to be a Pittsburgh set for less than $30 that's a great little set but, I think it's discontinued.

That's what I had. Now I'm pneumatic and loving it.


Frankly left/right isn't a huge deal, you can use a left or right for either, your technique just has to change. If it doesn't twist in, just reverse your twist. Tighten the nut, twist, tighten. It really doesn't matter you're loosening the tool a bit when winding in, because the next time you apply force you compress it anyways.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I have the Pittsburgh one, and it works fine. I imagine this one will be at least as useful.

 

[AJHD]

Amazon.com

The OMT offering is definitely popular on Amazon. I'm curious if there is any build quality differences between Icon and OMT, besides COO (if it's actually different). Otherwise I think the OMT is going to be the kit I pick up based on my needs and expected frequency of use.

There used to be a Pittsburgh set for less than $30 that's a great little set but, I think it's discontinued.

There is a Maddox set now. Around $40. Smaller than the Icon, less adapters.

That's what I had. Now I'm pneumatic and loving it.


Frankly left/right isn't a huge deal, you can use a left or right for either, your technique just has to change. If it doesn't twist in, just reverse your twist. Tighten the nut, twist, tighten. It really doesn't matter you're loosening the tool a bit when winding in, because the next time you apply force you compress it anyways.

For my needs pneumatic is not needed and a no-go outside of a shop (for me).

As for the LH twist, I don't expect to use it or need it, but I was thinking might as well go for a kit that has both if I'm going to buy one.



To be frank, although my professional shop experience is limited compared to some of you guys, I've only across twist in caliper pistons a handful of times. However I was trying to help a family member and her car have those damn twist in pistons.

I'm done wrenching professionally, and I expect to use this kit even less than I did before, but I want to have one more easily/quickly available should the need arise.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I have the OEM 27113 18 piece kit, pretty decent Left/right twist. $42 on Amazon.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

The OMT offering is definitely popular on Amazon. I'm curious if there is any build quality differences between Icon and OMT, besides COO (if it's actually different). Otherwise I think the OMT is going to be the kit I pick up based on my needs and expected frequency of use.




There is a Maddox set now. Around $40. Smaller than the Icon, less adapters.




For my needs pneumatic is not needed and a no-go outside of a shop (for me).

As for the LH twist, I don't expect to use it or need it, but I was thinking might as well go for a kit that has both if I'm going to buy one.



To be frank, although my professional shop experience is limited compared to some of you guys, I've only across twist in caliper pistons a handful of times. However I was trying to help a family member and her car have those damn twist in pistons.

I'm done wrenching professionally, and I expect to use this kit even less than I did before, but I want to have one more easily/quickly available should the need arise.

Pneumatic tools in general **** if you don't have air. In my experience all of the basic wind-back tools are pretty similar. If one has an issue with the tool holding up, the caliper in question just needs replaced.

 

[dnschmidt]

Pneumatic tools in general **** if you don't have air.

OK, that makes sense to me Scott.

 

[ZX3ST]

I will say the Icon kit comes in a real nice case. That was worth the few extra $$$ to me, since it was purchased to live in the car trailer for track events.

Other than that, the other commodity kits work just fine.

 

[jayemm]

Ebay's full of them. I paid about $21 for my kit years ago.

22pcs Universal Disc Brake Caliper Brake Piston Wind Back Rewind Hand Tools Kit | eBay

<li> Application:</li> <li>Ideal for 4 wheel drive cars/trucks</li> <li>Includes left and right handed thrust bolt assemblies</li> <li>The kit includes 18 adapters which fit a variety of modern car brands</li> <li>22Pc kits rotates piston back into caliper for fitting of new brake shoes and...

www.ebay.com

 

[Callelle]

I ended up getting the Icon case simply because the coupon put it close enough to the price of the amazon ones, and I liked the nicer case. Of course once I got it, the family member who's car I bought it for sold it.

 

[dogdog]

got the old pitsburg one also, works fine.. this icon one looks better.. I think the left hand winding ones are for those German cars.. like BMW or Porsche, not too sure.. the regular one services the vw and Honda fine. mostly for rear brakes that you can not just compress the piston in. you have to twist and push. I did bend the handle when the caliper froze up with the piston internals crapped out... but that was not the fault of the tool. (initially I blame the tool, and not the gorilla)

 

[dogdog]

That's what I had. Now I'm pneumatic and loving it.

does the pneumatic tool twist and push that is needed for some of the brakes ? or just compress. all front brakes compress but some rear brakes, need to be twist and push to retract the caliper pistons.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

does the pneumatic tool twist and push that is needed for some of the brakes ? or just compress. all front brakes compress but some rear brakes, need to be twist and push to retract the caliper pistons.

The pneumatic unit I have provides the push, you still manually twist it. Spin it a bit, press the trigger, spin it a bit, press the trigger. I'm very pleased with it and it's saved a lot of wear on my wrists. I wish I had jumped on the bandwagon earlier when these tools became available.

ARES 18023 is the one I have, bought it in May 2021. I'm sure it's seen hundreds of rear calipers.

 

[Steve_P]

The OMT offering is definitely popular on Amazon. I'm curious if there is any build quality differences between Icon and OMT, besides COO (if it's actually different). Otherwise I think the OMT is going to be the kit I pick up based on my needs and expected frequency of use.

I have an ancient HF kit, and it works fine; but as a home user, I don't use it very often; I think the last time I had to wind back a rear caliper was on an Outback about a year ago. I'd bet that all of the generic kits on Amazon will be fine for occasional use and they're probably all the same quality. If I was going to buy today, I'd get the one I linked, or an identical one in a different colored case.

 

[M635_Guy]

To be frank, although my professional shop experience is limited compared to some of you guys, I've only across twist in caliper pistons a handful of times. However I was trying to help a family member and her car have those damn twist in pistons.

I did the rear brakes on my Mini a few weeks ago and they had the &@Y#@$ twist-in calipers. I hate those. My old kit (not sure who made it) didn't have a plate that seemed to work, so I had to buy this funky cube thing (Lisle, I think).

I hate those style of brakes...


Next time there's a 30% off Icon coupon, I'll eyeball that kit again - nicely-finished and very nice case. The OMT kit might win anyway.

 

[yellowbox]

The pneumatic unit I have provides the push, you still manually twist it. Spin it a bit, press the trigger, spin it a bit, press the trigger. I'm very pleased with it and it's saved a lot of wear on my wrists. I wish I had jumped on the bandwagon earlier when these tools became available.

ARES 18023 is the one I have, bought it in May 2021. I'm sure it's seen hundreds of rear calipers.

Man I gotta get a pneumatic one , you're right, it's hard on the wrist

 

[jayemm]

I did the rear brakes on my Mini a few weeks ago and they had the &@Y#@$ twist-in calipers. I hate those. My old kit (not sure who made it) didn't have a plate that seemed to work, so I had to buy this funky cube thing (Lisle, I think).

I hate those style of brakes...


Next time there's a 30% off Icon coupon, I'll eyeball that kit again - nicely-finished and very nice case. The OMT kit might win anyway.

I tried one of those funky cube things and the little nibs just sheared off (not my car or cheap Autozone cube -- just helping out). I've read about people using needle nose pliers to wind the piston back in. That would have never worked. I ordered the kit from ebay when it was time for my rear brakes. Used it twice and well worth the price.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Man I gotta get a pneumatic one , you're right, it's hard on the wrist

It is 100% worth it. Not sure how many brakes you do, but if mine broke I'd buy another tomorrow.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I've been watching videos on doing brake work, and I noticed one guy used a C-Clamp and the old brake pads to compress the caliper piston back in. I would rather get the correct tool, and do it the right way and came across this set from Icon but also this Brake caliper press from Lang.

Are they just two different ways of doing the same thing?I watched two separate videos from different people demoing these tools and it looks like both push the piston back in. I'm guessing they're used for different kinds of brake systems, excuse my ignorance on this topic.

 

[Wamsutta]

This is a better set here.

 

[Mr_B]

I guess with a coupon the ICON kit is fairly reasonable buy if you appreciate the better case and like the potential long term warranty .
Little bit of effort on eBay, Amazon or Aliexpress will get a totally usable set for 20 to 25 bucks, it certainly one of those tools that a low cost option can work just fine .

 

[dogdog]

I've been watching videos on doing brake work, and I noticed one guy used a C-Clamp and the old brake pads to compress the caliper piston back in. I would rather get the correct tool, and do it the right way and came across this set from Icon but also this Brake caliper press from Lang.

Are they just two different ways of doing the same thing?I watched two separate videos from different people demoing these tools and it looks like both push the piston back in. I'm guessing they're used for different kinds of brake systems, excuse my ignorance on this topic.

You can not do those brake that needs to rotate and push in to rewind it, like those German cars. That lang tool is quick and fast on front brakes or anything that can just push in with c-clamps. Not that versatile.

 

[bwringer]

I have the Maddox kit, and it's perfectly fine.

The Icon kit includes the left-hand thread widget and a few more adapters for wider compatibility. Price seems perfectly reasonable. It's on the shelf nearby in any town with at least one traffic light... what's not to like here?


As to that Lang tool, I'm not a fan of it or that style in general because it often just doesn't fit. Maybe I work on smaller cars than other folks or something.

 

[lbhsbz]

The Astro set (#78618) set is almost identical for a hair under $40. I think it is missing the triangular (3 pin) adapter.

The finish on that ICON set looks nice though.

I've never seen a 3 pin style piston on a mechanical caliper (only electric)..and those pistons are not supposed to be turned back, simply pushed back after the electric actuator has been retracted.

 

[M635_Guy]

I guess with a coupon the ICON kit is fairly reasonable buy if you appreciate the better case and like the potential long term warranty .
Little bit of effort on eBay, Amazon or Aliexpress will get a totally usable set for 20 to 25 bucks, it certainly one of those tools that a low cost option can work just fine .

I agree with this. I did wind up grabbing the Icon set, as much for the very-tidy case as anything else. I absolutely hate the blow-molded cases with plastic at the "hinges" - they always break. The Icon case is really nice - slender, sturdy hinges and organized interior.

I grabbed it with a 30% coupon, and used it to do the rears on the family Volvo. Worked exactly as expected. That said, even with the great case it's over-priced to the point I can't recommend it without at least a 20% coupon. There are a number of nearly-identical options from the same factory on Amazon for great prices.

I'll be using it again this weekend on the family Odyssey.

 

[Pasha]

There's zero reason to spend much more than $25 on a wind back kit. It's a very simple tool. Most of these kits are just the same rebranded tool anyways.

 

[308guru]

This is a better set here.

What is "better"?

 

[AJHD]

What is "better"?

Not sure, but I know it's not the price...

https://www.grainger.com/product/PROTO-Disc-Brake-Caliper-Set-Disc-6RKU6

My guess it's also made in China and also a rebrand. I could be wrong.
Need is subjective, but it's also a much smaller kit.

 

[Wamsutta]

What is "better"?

The main thing is the design. It doesn't use that skinny handle that you have to turn with your hands. It gives you a provision to turn the tool with a wrench. Have you ever tried to turn a little small C-clamp with a skinny handle? It's not fun.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Not sure, but I know it's not the price...

https://www.grainger.com/product/PROTO-Disc-Brake-Caliper-Set-Disc-6RKU6

My guess it's also made in China and also a rebrand. I could be wrong.
Need is subjective, but it's also a much smaller kit.

According to Amazon it's made in Taiwan. But for $180... jeez. I'll take the Taiwan Icon one for 1/4 the price.

 

[DGersic]

I'm done wrenching professionally, and I expect to use this kit even less than I did before, but I want to have one more easily/quickly available should the need arise.

Got a local AutoZone? Check to see if you can rent one if you ever need it again.

 

[jayemm]

To me, some things aren't even worth renting when the cost of ownership is so cheap and the tool is always available on my shelf at home. I paid ~$21 for my kit and used it twice for rear brakes. Renting the tool would have been 4 trips to Autozone and back home again plus time involved. I wouldn't even rent it if I bought my brake pads at AZ as it still involves trips to return the tool.

 

[Hakeem]

The main thing is the design. It doesn't use that skinny handle that you have to turn with your hands. It gives you a provision to turn the tool with a wrench. Have you ever tried to turn a little small C-clamp with a skinny handle? It's not fun.

It has a hex end, not on the screw itself, but should still work



Idk, I opted for the “BILITOOLS” variant which has a 10mm on the very end. Good enough for the one time a year I do someone’s brakes

 

[DGersic]

To me, some things aren't even worth renting when the cost of ownership is so cheap and the tool is always available on my shelf at home. I paid ~$21 for my kit and used it twice for rear brakes. Renting the tool would have been 4 trips to Autozone and back home again plus time involved. I wouldn't even rent it if I bought my brake pads at AZ as it still involves trips to return the tool.

For me, it’s not the cost, it’s the storage space. I have a one car garage. Anything I buy and add to the garage has to go somewhere. The supply of “somewhere” is very limited. So if it’s something I’ll use once or twice, I probably won’t buy it, just so that I don’t have to find somewhere to put it.

 

[Model A Fan]

Amazon.com

I have the same one just in a red blow mold case. It works fine for most passenger cars, used it last on a Jeep Cherokee. I have always used the old brake pad and C-Clamp but sprung for this one when I had an Audi. Its worth having if you have the space.

That being said, I like the beefy looking Icon one and the fact that the case can be taken apart for use in a drawer is a nice feature. I have a rolling tool car from HF that is my "auto repair" box. I'm just a DIYer, so the cart isn't full and I have plenty of room for storage below on the shelf.

Overall, at $20, if you do brakes, even every other year, it is worth it to have the set. If I was looking for a set right now, I'd be tempted on the Icon one at 30% off for sure. When was that coupon offered?

 

[AJHD]

Got a local AutoZone? Check to see if you can rent one if you ever need it again.

That's exactly what I did. Problem is those kits are beat to **** and they charge the full retail price of kits.

They refund the money when you return the tool, or you keep the tool. I also worked at AutoZone too.

I rather have my own kit. Then again it's been 6 months since I touched a car. Not exactly high up on the priority list.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I watched a YouTube video last night from a mobile mechanic and he had both an OMT brake caliper press kit, and the Icon kit, and he said the OMT kit worked better at half the price, but then he also said he uses the Icon kit most of the time. So I dont know.